This is going to be the first year I am going to try to bring a little dj set up with me. I have read about the best practices for the speakers and the mixer. I know i need to understand that what goes there might not make it back. Does anyone know best practices for an amplifier?

Um, keep the amp cool so it doesn't fry? Bring enough power? Usually the amplifiers go hand-in-hand with the speakers as far as volume and locations where they can be played, so you better read the guidelines.

"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens

For a start, I'd suggest spending some time reading through the Q&A board, as well as familiarizing yourself with the section on sound in the Theme Camp Resource Guide (the same guidelines apply to all camps, whether you've got a theme or not and whether you're registered or not).

This is going to be the first year I am going to try to bring a little dj set up with me. I have read about the best practices for the speakers and the mixer. I know i need to understand that what goes there might not make it back. Does anyone know best practices for an amplifier?

Don't listen to the haters, though as I'm don't DJ I have no idea what best practices are.

Bring your equipment, just be prepared for the fact that there really are many many DJs out there, and most of them are playing to nearly empty crowds. There is very much a winner-takes-all phenomenon going on, with the big sound camps and art cars drawing the overwhelming majority of people looking to dance in the desert.

This is going to be the first year I am going to try to bring a little dj set up with me. I have read about the best practices for the speakers and the mixer. I know i need to understand that what goes there might not make it back. Does anyone know best practices for an amplifier?

Don't listen to the haters, though as I'm don't DJ I have no idea what best practices are.

Bring your equipment, just be prepared for the fact that there really are many many DJs out there, and most of them are playing to nearly empty crowds. There is very much a winner-takes-all phenomenon going on, with the big sound camps and art cars drawing the overwhelming majority of people looking to dance in the desert.

I think a lot of people just want to be a part of the bigger spectacle and feel the louder beats. If you had Skrillex on stage jumping and waving his arms around but a very minor local DJ controlling the music behind the scenes, very few people in the huge crowd would know the difference.

[media]

The camp with a differenceNever mind the weatherWhen you camp with Plug & PlyYour holiday's forever

2011, Esplanade...50' frontage,3 couples, one sound system, one tiny art car with huge sound system,ugly, angry music.They'd turn on the system, then drive away in the car.Hours later they'd return, park the car aiming into the neighbors' art installation,run awful sound, to no one.They were never in camp,ugly, angry sound ran all the time.(except when neighbors unplugged the system)

it was easier back then not to get drowned out by the noise noise noise.

HOWEVER...THINGS HAVE CHANGED....

last year i think the LSC (large sound camp) I was with was pumping out close to 150k of pure raw juice.

enough to remove gallstones at 100 yards....

now.....what kinda set up are you gonna bring? a Full Funktion 1? some bass maxx low ends?

i didnt think so.

dont be that guy that we've all described....cranking drub-step or shlip hop or whatever on a shitty muddy system, hoping attract the chicks with your unique and raw selection of bitchin' tunes, all the while in a "Residential" neighborhood because its your first year, and you'll be camped in the "suburbs" somewhere, without placement, a little island of you and your noise.

instead, bring you....you and your mixes on digital media if you're so inclined, who knows, if you are Gods Gift to the Decks, maybe someone will let you play their rig.

trust us.

listen to the haters...

we do it because we love you.

now get the fuck off of my lawn, pick up that shit, and turn that crap down....

Simon of the Playa wrote:instead, bring you....you and your mixes on digital media if you're so inclined, who knows, if you are Gods Gift to the Decks, maybe someone will let you play their rig.

You know, well curated playlist with a decent portable sound could be an amazing gift. Walk up to a small gathering without music. Ask if they would like some music and then be able to meet their request. 80's playlist, russian military marches, samba, whatever they ask for. You only need a few songs for each genre.

Simon of the Playa wrote:instead, bring you....you and your mixes on digital media if you're so inclined, who knows, if you are Gods Gift to the Decks, maybe someone will let you play their rig.

You know, well curated playlist with a decent portable sound could be an amazing gift. Walk up to a small gathering without music. Ask if they would like some music and then be able to meet their request. 80's playlist, russian military marches, samba, [b]whatever they ask for[/b]. You only need a few songs for each genre.

To the OP - Buy a sound level meter and learn what it means. Unless you are trying to push a lot of bass, you don't need much amp power just to provide music for your dome/ carport/ camp. Fanless and keeping it out of the sun is basic.

People at BM like to talk to one another, therefore sound levels below say 90dB are just fine.

Simon of the Playa wrote:instead, bring you....you and your mixes on digital media if you're so inclined, who knows, if you are Gods Gift to the Decks, maybe someone will let you play their rig.

You know, well curated playlist with a decent portable sound could be an amazing gift. Walk up to a small gathering without music. Ask if they would like some music and then be able to meet their request. 80's playlist, russian military marches, samba, whatever they ask for. You only need a few songs for each genre.

In 2011, an adjacent camp on Initiation Street who brought a sound system agreed to DJ our block party in the street. It was perfect.

The camp with a differenceNever mind the weatherWhen you camp with Plug & PlyYour holiday's forever

Last year, some people in a neighboring camp were playing Frank Sinatra loudly for hours and hours into the early morning. People were getting pissed off. Not angry enough to call the rangers or anything, but it kept many people sitting up in their tents not able to sleep and negatively affected the next day.

The camp with a differenceNever mind the weatherWhen you camp with Plug & PlyYour holiday's forever